COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Penn State's defense turned loose under Roof

Navy quarterback John Hendrick (10) is sacked by Penn State defensive end Anthony Zettel (98) during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012. Penn State won 34-7. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Penn State defenders walk past a football attached to a spring as they enter team meetings.

Each one is supposed to punch it, swipe at it and pull on it.

Itís a physical reminder as well as a subconscious one. This is their goal on Saturdays, their every-play routine. This should become their trademark.

It is a simple ploy by new defensive coordinator Ted Roof, one already being talked about and embraced among the unitís leaders, including linebacker Mike Mauti.

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And the logic seems to be working.

As the Nittany Lions prepare to face the Temple Owls in Beaver Stadium on Saturday, they are in the midst of a short but noteworthy outbreak of forced turnovers.

They have produced a combined eight interceptions and fumbles in back-to-back games.

Itís as if the Lions, hungry and frustrated, have been turned loose.

ďWe work on tip drills, interception drills, strip drills, strip sack drills,Ē head coach Bill OíBrien said. ďWeíve been really fortunate our players have done a really great job of going out .§.§. and taking the drill work to the game field, which is fun to see.

ďItís really a matter of effort, and these guys are giving fantastic effort.Ē

And no one symbolizes that energy and effort on defense more than Mauti.

The senior talks of playing as if his hair is on fire.

So this is what a Temple team heavily reliant on running the football will meet head-on.

Last year, it was Mautiís most timely interception and all-around fiery play that help save the day against the Owls.

When asked about his impact now, OíBrien said he thinks of him like most no other player.

ďHeís just a fantastic guy. Heís a guy who Iíll keep in touch with the rest of my life,Ē OíBrien said. ďJust watching him play, boy, you wish you could have played that way. He just plays every play like itís his last .§.§Ē

That leads to Saturday, where coach Steve Addazioís Owls are not nearly as experienced or proven as last year. They are banged up on the offensive line and havenít proven to be adept at throwing the ball yet, to any degree.

So unless they dramatically change course, the Owls will do what they have done best so far: run the football.

Indeed, that would seemingly play into Penn Stateís strength, which is its talented and tested front seven.

Itís a group that figures to keep improving with the continued development of massive tackle DaQuan Jones and those two energetic cubs on the edge, Deion Barnes and Anthony Zettel.

Meanwhile, balance is still the searching point on the other side of the ball.

While the passing game continues to grow behind the stunningly productive Matt McGloin-to-Allen Robinson connection and half-dozen capable tight ends, the running game is plodding and disjointed.

McGloin, at turns praised and castigated in his three-year career, leads the Big Ten in TD passes. Robinson, a crisp route runner with smooth, athletic moves after the catch, has been a revelation.

Last year, McGloin rotated time at quarterback. Robinson had as many touchdown catches vs. Navy (three) last week as he had receptions all of last year.

ďHe definitely should have played more last year,Ē McGloin said. ďHe works his tail off. I think the coaches last year didnít give him the opportunity he deserved. I saw it in him last year.

ďHeís going to be one of the best wideouts this place has seen in a long time.Ē

And so McGloin, with some help from his receivers, may have to decide things Saturday with his arm. He credits OíBrien and assistant coach Charlie Fisher for who heís become.

ďWithout him I wouldnít be half the quarterback I am today. He and coach Fisher have really brought me a long way.Ē

The journey continues Saturday against those Owls who just canít find a way to win this matchup, no matter what they do, how well they play or how close they come at the end.

The Lions contend that is not a distraction. They will focus on creating more turnovers and igniting their running game and, in the process, continue pushing ahead however they can.

ďEach week is just as important as the next because really, thatís all we have,Ē senior running back Mike Zordich said. ďWe want a winning record, not just for us and what weíve done, but the future of the program.

ďWe want to win games to get people to want to come here. Thatís how we look at it. Weíre trying to help Coach (OíBrien) out as much as possible.Ē ź